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Lesson Plans


darkroom help

[ Thread ][ Subject ][ Author ][ Date ]
WRapf
Sun, 23 Aug 1998 17:45:44 EDT

Thanks for the return message. The price you pay for an enlarging lens is

> reflective of the quality. Two factors to consider is the quality of the

> glass, and the lens speed. Nikkor El lenses are great. A f/2 or f/2.8
lens

> are expensive but a slower 3.5 lens is affordable and will project a
quality

> image. On the Omega's we have, I bought Rodenstock 50mm f/2.8 lenses. I

> like the slightly faster lens because it makes focusing and composing the

> image easier to see because it is brighter. We generally print at f/11 or
f/8

> so the image quality is good. A couple of the enlargers we use Beslar
f/3.5

> lenses and they are good too.

>

> The school had two enlargers with color heads donated. A Besslar 23-c and
a

> Minolta. Yes, you can dial in filter combinations to match selective

> contrast filters but the newer papers that go to grade 5 won’t respond
above

> 4. Also, with each change of filtration, your exposure timings change. I

> much prefer using gel filters 00-5 which I buy from Photo warehouse for
about

> $10 per set. The exposure times are consistent though 3.5, and then
double

> for contrasts 4-5. Buy several sets, because the filters are easily
damaged.

> They should be used above the condenser lenses so scratches, dust or other

> minor imperfections do not effect the focused light. Buy the size that
fits

> your enlarger (Omega 3x3” Besslar 23-c 6x6”)

>

> Your enlarger should be place away from the wet side on the darkroom. Place

> on very sturdy and stiff table or counter about 36” high. Vibration from
the

> enlarger platform will make blurry prints. Have fun.

>

> What grade level do you teach?

>

> Bill R.

> Souhegan HS

I